Lockton family gives $2M to expand insurance certificate program

LAWRENCE — A $2 million gift from the family of the late Jack Lockton will support the expansion of the insurance and risk management certificate program at the University of Kansas School of Business.

The gift — from Cheryl Lockton Williams and her three sons, Ron Lockton, Don Lockton and Steve Lockton — establishes a path for undergraduate students minoring in business and for MBA students to earn the school’s Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance and Risk Management.

The program was established with an initial $1 million gift from Lockton Williams in 2019 to honor her late husband, Jack Lockton. He founded the Kansas City, Missouri-based Lockton Companies, which has grown into the world’s largest privately held insurance brokerage firm.

Since its launch at KU in fall 2019, the certificate has been offered to undergraduate students in the School of Business.

“Our family is grateful that the Jack Lockton Certificate program has been so well-received by the students at KU,” said Ron Lockton, executive chairman of Lockton Inc. and Jack’s son. “By expanding this program, we are delighted to continue Jack’s legacy of passion for business, the insurance industry, and the communities where we live and work.”

Lockton Williams said after marrying Jack and becoming involved in the business, she discovered how financially vulnerable families could be without insurance, and how limited most businesses would be in their growth.

“No matter the business, the person who guides the decision of risk versus reward is a valuable member of the management team,” Lockton Williams said. “Due to the wonderful reception of Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance and Risk Management by faculty and demand among students, we are honored to support the growth of this program.”

The expansion will allow more School of Business students and KU students minoring in business to gain exposure to insurance and risk management concepts, positioning them for career opportunities in underwriting, claims, agency and brokerage, risk management, consulting and more.

“This additional funding will enable us to expand the program’s footprint and provide a path to certification for students beyond our current reach,” said Kurt Krogull, director of the school’s certificate program. “My heartfelt thanks to the Lockton family for their continued generosity and trust.”